Headphone/iPod Etiquette

As long I don't have to repeat myself or ask people to repeat themselves I don't see a problem with any of what you mention. I find that cell phones are much worse, people are having lunch with you and answer the phone while you are talking to them.

I do listen on the elevator up sometimes, but not loudly enough to bother anyone (I hope!) I guess it is borderline rude.

OTM. I've seen mothers pushing strollers wearing iPods/Walkmans/headphones/etc. I find that disturbing. Shouldn't a sense of parental responsibility override one's need for entertainment?

I had this the other week on the bus to the hospital. I turned around thinking there was sth wrong with the bus' motor. No, it was some guy playing really loud dance music. Asshole.

I find this a bit strange. Generally I keep my headphones on up until I sit down at my desk.

I think that the only time you shouldn't be wearing headphones is when you're supposed to be listening to somebody else, be it in conversation, a meeting, or whatever. Anything else is is fair game in my book.

I usually pick the slowest, quietest albums out of my collection for the bus ride to work (I doze off anyways) and it's no-holds-barred on the ride back (the bus is emptier). I have been guilty though of playing my music too loud in the past, but I try to curb that in my wiser years.

I didn't call the guy in the elevator listening to 50 Cent an asshole. What he was listening to wasn't the point. It was the context. Why did he feel the need to still be listening? I don't care what he was listening to. Hell, he could've been listening to Killing Joke and I would've felt the same way.

Why did he feel the need to still be listening?

Because he's in a fucking office building on his way to work and would prefer to stay in his own pleasant little gangsta world for as long as possible before facing the reality of a day sitting at a desk.

Honest question: what if the "assholes" were blasting you really loved through his headphones instead of 50 Cents or some "loud dance music"?

Dude, I liked what he was playing, but it was just annoying. I was more concerned for the other people. I could have put the volume up, the other people not. It's called etiquette, something that guy was obv lacking.

rockist.

Cripes, I DIDN'T SAY I WAS ANNOYED BY IT. When I'm annoyed by something, I usually take great pains to describe it in violent detail. I was just curious that he didn't feel self-conscious about blasting music in a tiny space where everyone else could hear it. The job he was heading towards, moreover, has nothing to do with it. I'd have rather been at home listenin to music too.

That's cool. I only asked because both posters made a point in naming the artist/genre that the offending party was listening to, but I get your point.

I only mentioned what it was for two reasons: narrative detail and also to emphasize the point that it was SO LOUD that I could clearly make out what song was playing.

I do this all the time, though out of a massive sense of courtesy, rather than embarrasment at listening to Phoenix, who I am proud to like! I don't think I ever keep headphones on inside a building. I'll usually take them out just when the Skytrain or bus hits my stop, and get to my destination in silence. When ever I'm stepping on a bus, I'll take one ear out as I show my pass, etc.

But it's true things are quieter now since I mentioned to him that it all gets on my nerves.

rockist.

Very funny as I was playing Justus Köhncke's Doppelleben.

In fact, the other day I was listening to that Darwin mix for the first time as I got in the elevator with two other guys who I recognized as working on my floor though I don't know their names. Now, I turn the volume up high to overcome the street noise on my walk to work and I keep the Rio in my bag where it is not really convenient to reach in and fiddle with the controls, so it was going full blast and I figure anyone else in the elevator shares the music since I use open headphones, not earbuds. And what should the mix segue into as the doors close but Grover singing "The Me Song".

I kept my eyes front and tried to look hard. It wasn't easy. Grover lasted all the way up to the fifth floor. I wonder what those guys think of me.

OTM OTM OTM

until you sit down at your desk, you're not officially at work yet.

Sub-question: When do you take your sunglasses off after entering your office building?

I cannot simultaneously have music on while working or reading. About the only thing I can do while also listening to music is drive.

I take them off as soon as I enter a building because, you know, there's no sun indoors.

I want one of those!

I turn off my headphones when I hit the desk or if someone tries to talk to me (note to coworkers: stop trying to talk to me.)

its sweet when a couple share those little bud headphones.

i take my headphones off when i get off the train.

Rockist.

aw

You'd be surprised how many people flaunt this rather seemingly obvious point.

My headphones (attached to a portable CD player, thank you) leak like crazy, so I'm always conscious about people giving me weird looks on the bus/subway or when I'm waiting in line at a deli or something. It seems like no matter how good music is, it sounds shitty when you hear it blaring out of someone else's headphones. I can never listen to Second Edition as loud as I want to-- it sounds like some crappy techno music. If someone tries to talk to me, I'll usually pull them off pretty quickly, but it's embarassing when someone is like, "Hello? He-Lo-o!" It's also awkward when you have to say, "excuse me" or "sixth floor, please," because you end up screaming it or saying it so soft it's creepy... ah well. It's less obnoxious than talking on a cell phone.

yea, i always ask people what they're listening to. some people are cool, but other people treat you like a pervert. how dare you inquire what i listen to! it usually just puts me in a bad mood, though. especially when people are like, "I don't know... It's a mix." That's gotta be the worst.

I know, but I still don't see what it's got to do with wearing headphones.

I personally would love to be asked what I'm listening to. I've asked a few people on public trasport and stuff, but only as confirmation after I've already guessed through overhearing it.

Today a guy told me "vocal house." I didn't really have anything to say about that. Thankfully, since it's just a candy store, all I had to do was hand him his fucking candy and he walked away.

i've been in similar situations at coffee shops... me listening to my iPod and trying to do some music writing, him with his laptop out, working on his resume.

Well, it's another way of avoiding contact similar to wearing headphones.

of course, moments later i realized that she had every right to be pissed off and not give a damn what that friggin noise was.

A music reporter? Never heard the profession called that.

It's an occupational hazard, I'm afraid.

And I should say that not only will I wear sunglasses indoors. But I will wear them at night. (If it is a really nice pair of sunglasses. And by nice I am not talking about the dumb slick looking ones, I'm talking GIANT 70s style glasses.) Maybe I sound less (or maybe more...) like an asshole if I include the fact that it matched my outfit because I was wearing red really flaired out pants, shoes with two inch heels, and such (I am male). I actually got angry at the guy who tried to criticize me for wearing them at night.

Dégeulasse!

...

yea, i always ask people what they're listening to. some people are cool, but other people treat you like a pervert. how dare you inquire what i listen to! it usually just puts me in a bad mood, though. especially when people are like, "I don't know... It's a mix." That's gotta be the worst.

I don't think it's rude to ask, but I'd prefer not to be asked by strangers. It makes me feel awkward. Most of the stuff I listen to isn't extremely obscure, but still, chances are the inquirer will not know what I'm talking about. They they'll ask me to describe the music, and I'll feel the need to give an adequate description, but a lot of the music I like defies easy description. And the person is usually looking for a quick answer, not an in-depth conversation. So, often I do become evasive. At least when you're making small talk about the weather, you don't have to think about what to say.

Also, before I started wearing headphones, if I was walking alone I'd often have to deal mild harrassment from guys on the sidewalk. By wearing headphones, I've cut way down on this. Guys will approach, saying, "Hey baby ...", then notice the headphones, and walk away! It's great.

Well, you see, I don't wear headphones to avoid contact.

Didn't imply that you did, but some people do.